A woman told a true story in church a couple of weeks ago that I can’t get out of my mind.

Her husband works for a Christian camp in our area and it came to the attention of the staff that one of the campers had a unique story.

Apparently, this teenage boy lives in California. His mother had searched the internet for a camp that was as far away from California as possible. She found this one and sent him across the country by himself for a week.

Obviously, no one knows the particulars of this story or why this boy’s mother wanted to send him so far away to spend a week in the company of complete strangers.

As it turned out, this boy heard about Jesus’ amazing, unconditional love for him during the week at camp…and Heaven celebrated as one more soul personally met his Savior and began walking with Him.

I could not help but think of this young man when I read these words today in my Bible:

The people of Zion said, “The Lord has turned away and forgotten us.” The Lord answered, “Could a mother forget a child who nurses at her breast? Could she fail to love an infant who came from her own body? Even if a mother could forget, I will not forget you.” –Isaiah 49:15-16

Nobody has had a perfect parent.

In fact, some parents have been downright horrific. When I worked as a therapist, my clients went through boxes of tissues as they sat in my office, broken and emotionally crippled from the wounds inflicted by the very people who should have protected and loved them.

However, this verse clearly states that our Heavenly Father never abandons us, never gives up on us, never forgets us. We are always and ever on His mind and nestled firmly and forever in His heart.

This young man may have felt abandoned by his mother. He was out of her sight…but He was always in the loving sight of God…and God was waiting for Him in a cabin in the mountains of New Hampshire at a summer camp. New life was born. ..and a soul sang. He who was once lost was now found and enveloped in the matchless, unconditional love of God.

Regardless of who your parents were, meditate on the timeless truths about your Heavenly Father: